Attachment for locks



Jan. 29, 1929. 1 ,700,284

K. M. CROSSEN ATTACHMENT FOR LOCKS Filed larch 22. 192.6

gwumtov Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

KAY M. GROSSEN, OF LIMA, OHIO.

ATTACHMENT FOR LOCKS.

Application filed March 22. 1926. Serial m. 96,541.

This invention relates to attachments for looks and more particularlytoa shield to protect the key of the transmission lock of a motor vehicle.

Certain types of transmission locks are so constructed that the key canonly be re moved when the lock is in operative position thus making itnecessary to keep the key in the lock whenever the lock is released andthe vehicle is in operation.

As the lock is arranged just above the floorboard of the vehicle theprojecting portion of the key is apt to be accidentally broken off. Thisleads to considerable annoyance and expense in removing the portion ofthe key from the lock.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shield which isadapted to surround the lock casing and protect the key from injury.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will notinterfere with the normal operation of the transmission.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of theinvention.

In this showing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transmission socket showing theinvention applied,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the shield removed,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the shield substantially online' 33 of Figure 2, showing the shield in position on the transmissionsocket or base, and

Figure 4 is a similar view substantially on line 4% of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral 1 designates atransmission socket of the usual construction which is arranged toproject above the floor-board (not shown) of a motor vehicle and isadapted to receive the usual transmission lever 2 which extends upwardlyto a point adjacent the drivers seat and the lower end of which, withinthe socket 1, controls the gearing.

In the usual construction of transmission locks the lock is arranged ina casing 3' beside the socket 1 and is controlled by a key 4 in theusual manner. As shown, the lock casing generally terminates at a pointbelow the top of the socket l.

The attachment forming the subject matter of the present inventionconsists of a shield preferably formed of sheet metal or opening 7 whichis of greater diameter than the diameter of the transmission lever topermit free operation of the lever in Shift ing the gearing.

Beyond the transmission socket the upper edge of the vertical wall 5 isinclined downwardly as indicated at 8 and the top of this portion of theshield is open as at 9 (see Figures 1 and 2). This inclined edge isarranged above the top of the key as clearly shown in Figure 4 of thedrawings, thus forming a shield for the key and preventing it from beingkicked and broken by a person getting into or out of the vehicle.

Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the shield to preventrattling due to vibration when the vehicle is in motion. As shown, theside wall 5 may be provided with a thickened portion 9' having athreaded opening adapted to receive a set screw 10 which engages theside of the transmission socket as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings.

In place of the set screw 10, I may employ a spring 11 which is curvedand arranged substantially parallel to the rear portion 12 of theshield. As shown, the lower end of the spring is secured to the shieldas at 13 and the upper free end 14 is adapted to engage the adjacentportion of the lock casing.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoingdescription. The shield is placed in position and may be an chored bythe set screw 10 or the spring 11. The opening 7 is sufficiently largeto permit free operation of the transmission lever 2 when changing thegear ratio. The open portion 9 of the shield permits free access to thekey 4 for locking and unlocking the transmission look but at the sametime the vertical wall 5 prevents the operatorsfoot from accidentallycontacting with the key while in the lock and breaking it.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may bere- 1. In a device of the character described,

a shield adapted to surround a transmission socket and a transmissionlockcasing of a motor vehicle, said shield extending above said lockcasing and being adapted to pro-- tect a key inserted therein, the topof said shield above said lock casing being open, and a spring arrangedbetween said shield and said lock casing to normally hold said shield inposition.

2. In a device of the character described a shield adapted to surround atransmission socket and a transmission lock casing of a motor vehicle,said shield extending above said lock casing and being adapted toprotect-a key inserted therein, said shield comprising a substantiallyvertical Wall, a top connected to said vertical Wall and arranged oversaid socket, said top being provided with an opening for thetransmission lever, thetopof said shield over said lock casing beingopen, and a curved spring secured at one extremity interiorly of saidshield and having a portion adapted to engage said lock casing forretaining said shield in position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' KAY M; CROSSEN.

